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The Three Powers of Virtues

Thich Nhat Hanh · October 20, 2010 · Thailand
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Upon hearing the bell, stop talking and thinking to enjoy listening deeply, generating the energy of peace and compassion for healing. While many believe power lies in money, fame, weapons, or a strong army, misusing these creates suffering. True power does not destroy but brings happiness. The Buddha speaks of three kinds of power:

  1. The power to cut off: Using mindfulness and concentration to detach from the energy of craving and hate, realizing these objects bring suffering rather than happiness.
  2. The power to understand (Prajñā): Looking deeply into the roots of suffering within oneself and society to remove fear, anger, and despair.
  3. The power to love: Responding to violence not with punishment, but with compassion, recognizing that those who cause suffering are victims of their own wrong perceptions and need help.

Corporations and business leaders can cultivate these powers to protect the environment and promote well-being. There are four categories of operation regarding success: focusing on happiness; having happiness with small profit; having profit but no happiness; and having neither happiness nor profit. Sacrificing happiness for profit destroys oneself and the world. To lead effectively, one must first take care of themselves through mindful breathing and walking to handle their own suffering. Second, they must help their partner or beloved suffer less. Third, they must listen to everyone in the corporation with compassion, organizing the business like a Sangha where brotherhood and sisterhood prevail.

The Buddha taught the businessman Anathapindika that it is possible to live happily in the present moment, as conditions for happiness are already more than enough. Running into the future for success, like the businessman Frederick who had no time for his family before dying in an accident, leads to regret. By going home to the here and the now, one touches the wonders of life already available.

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